A marriage that reunited two former classmates after decades ended in tragedy late on Thursday night when the groom was allegedly killed in an honour killing in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
According to police, the incident took place in Vemulapalli village under Mandapet Mandal. The victim, Polipalli Veeravenkata Suryaprakasarao (41), a textile merchant from Dwarapudi, was allegedly murdered by his wife’s brothers for marrying her against their wishes over caste differences.
The bride, Ayanavilli Sandhya (40), currently serving as a Reserve Deputy Tehsildar in Rayavaram, had studied with Suryaprakasarao until Class X. Though they lost touch for years, they reconnected later in life and their renewed friendship developed into a relationship.
“Despite opposition from Sandhya’s family, particularly her brothers who objected to the inter-caste marriage, the couple went ahead with their wedding at the Annavaram Satyadev Temple on Thursday morning. They then returned to Dwarapudi,” said a police officer.
Police said Sandhya shared photographs of the wedding with her elder brother, Chandrapal, a businessman, who reportedly informed their other brother, Giribabu, a pharmacist based in Vizianagaram. Allegedly angered by the marriage, the two brothers travelled to Dwarapudi that night.
At around 11.30 pm, they arrived at the groom’s residence and allegedly asked Sandhya to step outside, claiming their mother was unwell. When Suryaprakasarao followed her, an argument ensued. During the altercation, he reportedly fell to the ground and was allegedly struck multiple times on the head with a rock, resulting in his death.
As the accused allegedly attempted to forcibly take Sandhya away, the groom’s father, Suryanarayana Boruna, raised an alarm. Local residents rushed to the scene, apprehended the accused, and handed them over to the police.
East Zone Deputy Superintendent of Police B Vidya visited the spot around midnight and began an investigation.
Police sources said Sandhya had earlier worked as a Revenue Assistant in Kapileshwarapuram before being promoted to Deputy Tahsildar in June last year. After the death of her father, a retired postmaster, during the post-Covid period, Suryaprakasarao had visited her to offer condolences — a meeting that rekindled their bond and eventually led to marriage.
Suryaprakasarao had recently undergone liver surgery and is survived by his father and two younger married sisters. His father said he had hoped his son would support him in his old age.
The incident has once again brought focus to honour killings, caste intolerance, and the continuing risks faced by couples who choose to marry against social opposition. Police have taken the accused into custody and further investigation is underway.
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